Around what size UPS is good for keeping a modem + switch on for a couple of hours?

[NiTrO bOiE]

What size UPS should I get? Everyone once in the while the power goes out if there's a big storm, and once it goes out it goes out for at least a couple of hours. It sucks having laptops with no internet (dial up only and only one person can be on at a time) without power. So what size should I get? I will only need to power to modem and hub.

[fldrice]

No UPS can do that. You need a backup generator.

[coin]

go to www.apc.com and try their UPS picker tool, there may be a UPS that can hold that much powere but it will probably be at the more expensive end of the spectrum

[dead_man311]

how often does the power go out there ? id look in to a fairly decent generator. probly find a decent used one or a decent size new one for a decent price. have it set up where it will kick on when the power to the house is cut. thats what id setup

[Sony]

I agree go get a nice 6Kw Generator for your house and hook it into your circuit board with a long cable so the generator can be outside when you need to run it and put it in the garage or basement so you can just wheel it in or out. You need a licensed electrician to do that but it's worth it. We use 2 x 6kw Yamaha which supply 240VAC or 120VAC they are very quiet but I don't know how expensive they are but they run great. We use them to power the hydrolic pumps which run off 240VAC and they are great don't even break a sweat even when they have to lift the 8,000lb ramps for which the pumps are used.

[penquissciguy]

My house is wired so that it can be disconnected from the commercial grid and powered from a generator. I have an 8kW generator that is enough to run basically my whole house if need be. The equipment to do this would probably be under $1500, depending on where you live. Here in Maine, you can do your own house wiring, plumbing, etc, so it makes things a little easier to do.

You might be able to power your modem/switch for a couple hours from a car battery and an AC inverter. The combination new would probably cost around $120.

Ken

[{PMS}fishy]

Originally posted by fldrice
No UPS can do that. You need a backup generator.

Thank you for being so uninformed.

A home router/switch/modem in total pull no more than 100w, and that is the very worst case sernario.

The APC site is down right now, but off the top of my head I think that a 500-1000VA model could be capable of doing that for you. I will have to double check the specs on the units though.

How much are you looking to spend? Ill pick the right unit out for you. (I used to work for APC)

Ok heres the deal.

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=307639&pfp=srch1

This unit the BR800 can do this for run times.

http://www.apcc.com/products/runtime_for_extendedruntime.cfm?upsfamily=23

so your set up is closer to 50w so you should see between 1.5h and 2.25h.

I really think that unit is going to be the best bet for you, in terms of value, and run time. Its also a pretty nice unit for what it is.

Oh, I love how you guys recommened him a generator, when all he wants to do is run his home network for a few hours. Plus he is in highschool. Not his house, and he isn't going to pay for a generator.

[Sony]

Sorry yea good point I thought he was in his house. Even so you could pick up one of those small portable little 500W generators that only cost about as much as a UPS and run off a model airplane engine. Those things are about the size of a Playstation and would run your computer indefinatly if you had enough fuel. But I don't know if they allow fuel in your school probably not. I think some can run on butane which is just lighter fluid. If you don't want to go that route I have a Tripp-Lite BCPro1050 that has served me well and would probably do what you want it too. Go try and find one they are nice I use mine to power my computer. It runs 30min at half load which is like 350W or something so yours would run for much longer.

[NiTrO bOiE]

Thanks for clearing everything up fishy. I checked the output power on the adaptors and the total came out to 1950mA. You guys started confusing me when some of you said I needed a generater when UPS's can run full computer setups for a couple of minutes, but a modem and hub isn't near half as powerful and a computer. BTW it is at my house, but the reason I want the UPS is so I can get onthe net with the laptops while the power is out.

[Sony]

Yea sorry about that I think one person said it and we all followed along good thing fishy cleared it all up. Get a good sized UPS like my 1050VA/705W Tripp-Lite and you will be all set.

[{PMS}fishy]

Originally posted by NiTrO bOiE
Thanks for clearing everything up fishy. I checked the output power on the adaptors and the total came out to 1950mA. You guys started confusing me when some of you said I needed a generater when UPS's can run full computer setups for a couple of minutes, but a modem and hub isn't near half as powerful and a computer. BTW it is at my house, but the reason I want the UPS is so I can get onthe net with the laptops while the power is out.

That seems a bit high to me, was that the DC ratting of the AC ratting. There is still quite a big difference. GIve me the model numbers of all the products, and Ill see what I can dig up for you. Im still sticking with my first recommendation for now.

[{PMS}fishy]

Originally posted by Sony
Yea sorry about that I think one person said it and we all followed along good thing fishy cleared it all up. Get a good sized UPS like my 1050VA/705W Tripp-Lite and you will be all set.

He deffinalty does not need a unit that large. The only reason I pointed him towards the 800VA unit was the size of the battery. AmpH rattings are pretty important when looking at run times, as opposed to total power rattings. As home network gear does not pull that much power. We should be concered with finding the smallest unit with the largest battery.

[{PMS}fishy]

Oops, one more thing. I forgot about this deal. Deffinatly the best price on this unit ever. Huge battery, I mean HUGE. Think car size. Heck you can run the laptops off this if you want.

BP1100

Only downside is I think you need to be a member. Or know someone.

http://www.samsclub.com/eclub/main_shopping.jsp?n=0&oidPath=0%3a-23542%3a-33761%3a-33828%3a-33861%3a687288&coe=0&BV_SessionID=_SC_0591384156.1078868071_CS_&BV_EngineID=ccdfadckkmijjdicfkfcfkjdgoodfkh.0

Here are the Specs.

http://www.apcc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=BP1000

And run times.

http://www.apcc.com/products/runtime_for_extendedruntime.cfm?upsfamily=27

Just a note. The BP1000 is exactly the same unit as the BP1100.

[NiTrO bOiE]

Fishy, those were the combined DC output stats on the adaptor. but here's what I'm running: 2 Wire Home Portal 1100, Linksys 5 Port Mini Hub. That's it. Hey cool, I was looking at the pro 1000VA yesterday, is there a way to disable the beeping though?

[{PMS}fishy]

Originally posted by NiTrO bOiE
Fishy, those were the combined DC output stats on the adaptor. but here's what I'm running: 2 Wire Home Portal 1100, Linksys 5 Port Mini Hub. That's it. Hey cool, I was looking at the pro 1000VA yesterday, is there a way to disable the beeping though?

Nope. You can cut the speaker out. If you want.

[Hughhefner]

As for run time a use a very simple idea to power my fishtanks during power outages. In the winter if the power goes my tanks can draw up to 1200 watts for the heaters so I purchased 3 USED tripp lite 675VA omnismart backups on fleabay---er ebay.

The trick is that they only have a 12V 7 or 8 amp hour battery.

With a little modding I was able to run the UPS in a 12V Deep cycle battery-"60-70 amp hour- like the ones used on boats. The batteries cost $60 each at sams club and the UPS's cost me $35 each.

All you would need is 1 ups and mod it to a 12V battery and your run time is GREATLY extended.


The bigger ups units like 1000Va und up use 18 to 24V power so the trick is to buy small so you only need to use 1 12V battery.

[penquissciguy]

Originally posted by {PMS}fishy

Oh, I love how you guys recommened him a generator, when all he wants to do is run his home network for a few hours. Plus he is in highschool. Not his house, and he isn't going to pay for a generator.

The reason I answer questions the way I do is that there is more than one person reading these forums. I can't answer for everyone, but a UPS solution wouldn't be the best for me in my situation. The great thing about these forums is that lots of people have solved the same problems in different ways. You can choose your solution from these or make one up completely on your own.

If you don't mind voiding your UPS's warranty by cutting out a speaker or modding in a new battery, this is a good solution for you. In my opinion, you get most of the benefits with none of the modding by using a car battery and an AC inverter. The features you wouldn't have with a store-bought UPS would be automatic fallover when the power goes out and a recharging circuit built-in. With the inverter - battery combo, you would have the capability of running higher wattage devices off the same system if the need arises and NO ANNOYING BEEPING. I've been down that road before and it was not pleasant, though it got the job done.

Ken

[{PMS}fishy]

Originally posted by penquissciguy


The reason I answer questions the way I do is that there is more than one person reading these forums. I can't answer for everyone, but a UPS solution wouldn't be the best for me in my situation. The great thing about these forums is that lots of people have solved the same problems in different ways. You can choose your solution from these or make one up completely on your own.

Ken

Well thats a great approach, but you should first answer the question in terms that would be best for the person asking it. Then offer another suggestion. Especially when the person asks for advice on a certian thing. Answer that, don't throw out a different option, while completly negating the question at hand.

Thanks.